Chapter 9 Natural Vegetative Filter Strip A natural vegetative filter strip is an area of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees through which stormwater runoff flows before leaving a site or entering a storm sewer system. Vegetative Filter Strips are designed to treat uncontrolled runoff and non-point source pollutants. When used properly a vegetative filter strip can capture between 75-100% of sediments. These pollutants can be transformed and degraded into less toxic forms. Vegetative Filter Strips can also remove pathogens found in sediments. A natural vegetative filter strip can easily be incorporated into almost any yard and offers a low cost option for water quality treatment. Part 1: Natural Vegetative Filter Strip A. Design Requirements 1. The vegetative filter strip should be located down slope from all impervious cover (Figure 1). 2. The width of the vegetative filter strip should be the width of the drainage area. Minimum width is 30 feet. 3. The length of the vegetative filter strip should be between 25-100 feet depending on the water quality volume the filter strip will treat. See Appendix A for details on how to calculate the size of the vegetative filter strip. 4. Vegetative filter strips work best with slopes of less than 5% and not greater than 15%. Minimum slope for the filter strip is 1%. See Figure 2. 5. Water should arrive at the vegetative filter strip as overland sheet flow. Devices such as level (flow) spreaders can be installed to ensure sheet flow. See Figure 2 for an example of a flow spreader B. Plant and Soil Requirements within Filter Strip 1. Topsoil should be at least 4 inches deep. 2. If soil has been compacted it should be aerated and loosened to increase root growth in plants. - The best method is to use a core aerator to remove small plugs of soil that allow water and nutrients to infiltrate deeper. Table 1 has a list of local businesses that rent core aerators. Table 1. List of local businesses that rent core aerators. Name Address Phone/Fax Webpage Heart of Texas Equipment Rental 4708 South Lamar Boulevard (512) 892-5578 www.hotrent.com Austin, TX 78745 belt Rentals 8300 S - IH 35 Austin, TX 78745 (512)291-0065 (512)291-0855 www.sunbeltrentals.com 106
-. Figure 1. Typical Vegetative Filter Strip. Source: Center for Watershed Protection Figure 2. Vegetative Filter Strip diagram with slope % and flow spreader example. 107
3. The filter strip should have 95% vegetative cover. 4. In areas where 95% vegetative cover cannot be attained the area should be covered with mulch or other organic matter. and forb growth in these areas are encouraged. Table 2 contains a seeding guide for set Valley. 5. es, forbs, shrubs, and trees are all suitable for vegetative filter strips. es, especially large bunch grasses such as Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), are excellent plants for vegetative filter strips. Table 3 has a list of native plants suitable for the filter strip. 6. Invasive and pest plant species found in Table 4 should be removed from the filter strip. 7. Select native grasses to be used in filter strips that grow to a height of at least 4 inches. C. Maintenance 1. Seasonal mowing of the filter strip is allowed, but the grass should never be mowed lower than 3 inches. 2. Fertilizers, chemical use, and irrigation should be kept to a minimum in the VFS so it does not become a source of pollution. 3. Bare spots or areas of erosion should be replanted. 4. The use of large heavy equipment (front end loaders, backhoes) is restricted in the vegetative filter strip. These machines disturb vegetation and compact soil. 5. Fertilizers, chemical use, and irrigation should be kept to a minimum in the VFS so it does not become a source of pollution. 108
Table 2. Selected seed species for diversifying natural lawn areas. Includes when to sow and height of plants. Wet Areas es Scientific Name Common Name Sowing Season- Warm/Cool Native/ Introduced Usual Andropogon glomeratus Bushy Bluestem C N 3' - 6' Erianthus alopecuroides Silver Plumegrass W N 9' - 10' Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Lindheimer Muhly Fall N 2' - 5' Muhlenbergia capillaris Gulf Muhly C N 1 1/2 ' Panicum virgatum Switchgrass W N 5' - 8' Sorghastrum avenaceum Indian W N 3' - 5' Trypsacum dactyloides Eastern Grammagrass Apr. - Nov. N 5' - 8' Moderate Areas Scientific Name Common Name Sowing Season- Warm/Cool Native/ Introduced Usual Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem W N 5' - 6' Andropogon hallii Sand Bluestem W N 2' Andropogon ternarius Splitbeard Bluestem C N 1 1/2 ' Andropogon virginicus Broomsedge Bluestem Fall N 4' - 5' Bothriochloa saccharoides Silver Bluestem May - Nov. N 3' - 4' Bouteloua eriopoda Black Grama W N 18" Bouteloua gracilus Blue Grama June - Nov. N 2' - 2 1/2 ' Moderate Areas Elymus candensis Canada Wildrye C N 3' - 4' Eragrostis curvula Weeping Lovegrass W N 2' - 4' Eragrostis hisuta Bigtop Lovegrass W N 2' - 3' Eragrostis trichodes Sand Lovegrass W N 2' - 4' Festuca arundinaceae Tall Fescue C N 6" - 8" Festuca ovina Sheep Fescue C N 6" - 8" Leptochloa dubia Green Sprangletop May - Nov. N 2' Lolium spp. Ryegrass C I 6" Muhlenbergia capillaris Gulf Muhly Fall N 3' - 3 1/2 ' Panicum virgatum Switch W N 5' - 8' Sporobolus asper Tall Dropseed W N 3' - 4' 109
Dry Areas Scientific Name Common Name Sowing Season- Warm/Cool Native/ Introduced Usual Bouteloua curtipendula Sideoats Grama W N 1' - 3' Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama June - Nov. N 2' - 2 1/2 ' Bouteloua pectinata Tall Grama July - Nov. N 2' - 3' Buchloe dactyloides Buffalograss W N 3" - 12" Chasmanthium latifolium Inland Sea Oats W N 2' - 4' 18" - Eragrostis spectabilis Purple Lovegrass W N 24" Hilaria belanderi Curly Mesquite W N 4" - 6" Leptochloa dubia Green Spangletop May - Nov. N 2' - 4' Lolium spp. Ryegrass C I 6" Muhlenbergia arenacea Ear Muhly W N 4" - 14" muhlenbergia reverchonii Seep Muhly Sum. - Fall N 2' Muhlenbergia rigida Purple Muhly C N 30" Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem Aug. - Dec. N 1' - 4' Setaria scheelei Southwest Bristlegrass W N 2' - 3' Sporobolus vaginaeflorus Poverty Dropseed Fall N 2' - 3 Stipa tenuissima Mexican Feathergrass C N 2 1/2 ' - 3' Tridens muticus Slim Tridens July - Nov. N 12" - 18" Forbs and s Wet Areas Scientific Name Common Name Sowing Season- Warm/Cool Native/ Introduced Usual Achillea millefolium Yarrow June - Aug. N 6" - 12" Carex perdentata Sedge Spring N 6" - 12" Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Spr. - Sum. N 2' Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Fall N 6" - 6' Penstemon tenuis Gulf Coast Penstemon Fall N 11/2' Physostegia spp. Spring Obedient Plant Fall N 2' - 6' Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan Spr. - Sum. N 1' - 2' Solidago spp Goldenrod C N 3' - 7' Tradescantia spp. Spiderwort Spring N 6" -18" Viguiera dentata Golden Eye Spring N 3' - 6' 110
Moderate Areas Scientific Name Common Name Sowing Season- Warm/Cool Native/ Introduced Usual Achillea millefolium Yarrow June - Aug. N 6" - 12" Castilleja purpurea Indian Paintbrush May - June N 6" - 12" Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Oxeye Daisy Spring N 2' - 4' Coreopsis lanceolata Coreopsis Spring N 1 1/2 ' - 2' Helianthus maximiliana Maximillian flower Oct. - Nov. N 4' - 6' Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Spr. - Sum. N 2' Lupinus texensis Texas Bluebonnet Fall N 1' Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweetclover C I 18" Monarda citriodora Horsemint Spring N 1-1 1/2 ' Oenothera speciosa Pink Evening Primrose Spring N 1' Penstemon cobera Wild Foxglove Spring N 1' - 1 1/2 ' Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan Spr. - Sum. N 1' - 2' Salvia coccinea Scarlet Sage Spring N 2' - 3' Trifolium Incarnatum Crimson Clover C I 4" - 6" Verbena bipinnatifida Prarie Verbena June - Oct. N 6" - 12" Vicia ludoviciana Deer Pea Vetch April I 1' - 2' Vicia villosa Hairy Vetch C I 1' - 2' Dry Areas Scientific Name Common Name Sowing Season- Warm/Cool Native/ Introduced Usual Amblyolepsis setigera Huisache Daisy W N 1' Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed Spr. - Sum. N 1 1/2 ' 2' Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanket Fall N 1' Ipomopsis rubra Standing Cypress Spr. - Fall N 2' - 4' Liatris pycnostachya Gayfeather Spr. - Sum. N 1' - 3' 111
Table 3. Native Plants of Texas for Vegetative Filter Strips Species Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum Conifer 45'-100' Decidious part Prefers moist soils in swamps, river bottoms, forests along streams Hydric-mesic. Seasonal poor drainage Ash Juniper Juniperus Asheri Conifer 10-30 part Prefers rocky soil in canyons, ravines, arroyos, rimrock & breaks; on eroded slopes & flats Likes limestone soils. Eastern red-cedar Juniperus virginiana Conifer 30-60 part, Prefers dry hillsides, old fields, pastures, areas along fence rows. Well drained, mesic. Tolerates dry land. Sands, loams & clays Big bluestem Andropogon gerardi 3-6 bunch grass. Dormant in winter Full sun Prefers moist soils of meadows & prairies in the eastern ½ of state Mesic; moderate moisture. acid of calcareous. Big muhly Muhlenbergia lindheimeri 2-5 part Prefers limestone uplands near streams. Calcareous clays & limestone soils. Black grama Bouteloua eriopoda 1-2 ½ Full sun Prefers dry slopes & plains, often associated with shrubs & subshrubs Sands, loams, & clays, likes limestone substrates Blue grama Bouteloua gracilis ½ -3 a little tolerated Prefers open, grassy plains & rocky slopes in the High & Rolling Plains, also Edwards Plateau & Trans-Pecos Well-drained, xericmesic. Sandy loams, loams. Broomsedge Andropogon verginicus 3-4, dies back in winter Part, Dappled Prefers loose moist soils of old woods & praries, also d banks along streams. Mesic. Sands & sandy loams, loams Brownseed paspale Paspalum plicatulum 3-5 Prefers open oak woodlands Mesic. Sands & sandy loams 112
Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides 3-12 -Turf grass Full sun Prefers open areas in many kinds of soils, short grass prairies of Central & North Central Texas Xeric, well-drained. Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis 3-5 Cool-season tufted, Prefers d sites along fence rows, woods borders & moist ravines throughout the state. Absent in southern part of South Texas. Curly-mesquite Hilaria berlangeri 4-6 a little Prefers rocky slopes, dry hillsides & grassy or brushy plains Well-drained, xeri. Thin limestone soils, clays & caliche type soils. Also sands & loams Eastern gammagrass Tripsacum dactyloides 3-8 bunch grass, Prefers low moist grasslands sites in eastern portion of the state. Mesic, likes extra moisture. Seasonal poor drainage Sands, loams & clays Green sprangletop Leptochloa dubia 1-3 Prefers open areas on loose, rocky soils. Well-drained, xericmesic. especially loose soils. Gulf cordgrass Spartina spartinae 4-7, stout Full sun Prefers marshy areas, also coastal flats & brackish marshlands Hydric, tolerates wet soils. Sands, silts, muds. Hairy grama Bouteloua hirsuta 2-4 Short-lived Grows in open grassy areas near woodland edges, along roadsides & fence rows. prefer limestone substrates. Hairy tridens Erioneuron pilosus 7-10 a little Prefers open range- land & pastures, along road right-of-ways: also frequent in gravelly soils throughout Trans- Pecos prefers limestone substrates Hooded windmillgrass Chloris cuculata 1-1 ½ Prefers pastures, lawns, parks & vacant lots. Mesic. Sands, sandy loams of medium to coarse texture, acid to neutral 113
Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans 3-8 bunch grass. Dormant in winter some Prefers moist rich soils of tall-grass prairies of central & coastal Texas. Mesic, likes moisture. Likes calcareous soils. Inland sea-oats Chasmanthium latifolium 2-4, dies back in winter Part,, full Prefers moist wood-land soils, often along creek bottoms & near streamsides Mesic, seasonal poor drainage Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 2-5 bunch grass. Dormant in winter Prefers woods openings, rocky slopes of pastures & rangeland, along forest borders & prairies throughout Texas. Sands, loams & clays Longspike silver bluestem Bothriochloa saccaroides v. longipaniculata 2-4 Prefers dryish open areas, woodland edges, along roadsides. Xeric-mesic. Sands, sandy loams, loams & clays Pink pappasgrass Pappophorum bicolor ½ -2 ½ Part Prefers grassy plains, moist road rights-ofway &open valleys. Mesic. Sands, loams & clays Plains lovegrass Eragrostis intermedia 1 ½ -3, tufted Full sun Prefers sandy, clayey, rocky ground in open areas, also grows well in disturbed areas. Sands & clays. Purple-top grass Tridens flavus 2-4 Part, Prefers of open woods or along roadways throughout the state. Mesic, well-drained. Sands, sandy loams, clays. Seep Muhly Muhlenbergia reverchonii 1-3 a little Prefers rocky soils with limestone base often in seep areas Calcareous soils, clays, limestone based soils. Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula 2-3 bunch., Tolerates a variety of open places through-out state. Does well in disturbed areas. Well-drained, mesicxeric. both limestone & igneous soils. 114
Slim tridens Tridens muticus v. elongatus 1-2 Prefers open clayey soils, but sometimes found on sandy sites. Sands, sany loams, gravelly clays. Switchgrass Panicum vergatum 3-6 bunch grass Prefers seasonally moist, open areas throughout Texas. Moist. Seasonal poor drainage Tall dropseed Sporobolus asper 3-5 some Prefers open, rocky prairie sites, open meadows & woods. Mesic, tolerates dry soils. Sands, loams, clays; likes limestone soils. Texas bluegrass Poa arachnifera 12-2 ½ Cool season Grows in prairies & openings of woods. Mesic. Texas bristlegrass Setaria texana 1 ½ -3 Prefers opens grassy areas in South Texas & southern part of Edwards Plateau. Well-drained, xeric to mesic. Texas cupgrass Eriochloa sericea 3-4 some Prefers prairies & grassy openings in scrub woodlands. Sands, loams & clays; likes limestone soils. Texas Grama Bouteloua rigidiseta ½ -1 ½ Full sun Prefers grasslands, grassy woods openings, road rights-of-way & moist slopes. Well-drained, xeric to mesic. Vine mesquite Panicum obtusum 1-2 Prefers clayey lowland pastures, swales & ditches that periodically dry out. Mesic to xeric, periodic poor drainage Clays. Agarita Berberis Trifoliolata 3-8 Prefers rocky slopes & flats of pastures, thickets & open woods. Xeric, well-drained. Yellow Bells Tecoma stans 3-6 Prefers rocky bluffs, slopes & canyons in desertic mountains of south Trans-Pecos from 2,000-5,200 in elevation. Mesic-xeric, welldrained. Sands, loams & clays 115
Joint-fir Ephedra antisyphilitica 3-6 Prefers gravelly or rocky soil on pains, hills, breaks, rimrock in arroyos, ravines & canyons. Xeric, well-drained. Cenizo (Texas Sage) Leucophyllum frutescens 4-8 a little Prefers rocky limestone hills, bluffs, ravines, arroyos & brushlands. like limestone soils. Coral-berry Symphoricarpus orbiculata 1 ½ -6 Dappled, part Prefers woods, thickets & streamside areas in eastern 1/3 of Texas. Mesic, well-drained. Sands, loams & clays Texas honeysuckle Lonicera alba 4-10 Prefers rocky slopes, cliffs; also found in sandy soils, cedar brakes in Central, North Central Texas Likes limestone soils. Spicebush Lindera benzoin 10-15 Part, Prefers rich wooded slopes & rocky areas along streams of the Edwards Plateau. Well-drained, but moist. Loams, limestone & Bee-brush Aloysia gratissima 4-14 Persistent, Prefers rocky, gravelly limestone soils chaparrals, thickets & arroyos. Found almost throughout Texas but may have been introduced in eastern portion of the state. Moist, seasonal poor drainage Sands, loams, or clays. Black dalea Dalea frutescens 1-3 Full sun Prefers dry limestone hills in brushy vegetation. Sands, loams & clays; likes limestone soils. Coralbean Erythrina herbacea 3-6 Persistent Prefers sandy woods on coastal plain, but will grow elsewhere. Fragrant mimosa Mimosa borealis 2-6 deciduous Prefers brushy vegetation in Texas Hill Country and West Texas. Sands, loams, clays, caliche-type & limestone soils. Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 5-20 Prefers moist soils near swamps, ponds, along streams & stream margins. Mesic-hydric. Moderate to high moisture. Seasonally poor drainage Sands, loams, clays. Likes limestone soils. 116
Rose pavonia Pavonia lasiopetala 2-5, Prefers rocky woods on Edwards Plateau & Rio Grande Plains. Well-drained, mesic to xeric. Likes limestone soils. Turk s cap Malvaviscus drummondii 4-9 Part,, Prefers moist woodlands, wood margins, stream sides, river edges in shady conditions. Low grounds. Hydric-mesic, likes moisture. Likes limestone soils, tolerates gumbo. Autumn sage Salvia greggii 2-4 Persistent Prefers rocky soils in central, south & west Texas. Well-drained, mesicxeric. Likes limestone soils. Chile pequin Capsicum annuum 1-2 Dappled, full Prefers ledges along rivers, thickets & groves along arroyos. Likes limestone soils. Elbowbush Forestiera pubescens 5-10, Prefers open pastures, brushy prairies, woodlands & thickets. Well-drained soils, mesic to semi-dry. Oklahoma plum Prunus gracilis, ornamental 2-6, Prefers open hills & their woods form East Texas to Panhandle, along fencerows & edges of fields. Well-drained, xeric to mesic. Sands. Southern dewberry Rubus trivialis, vine-like climber, Prefers low grounds, swampy areas at low elevations. Mesic, tolerates poor drainage. Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica 3-8, Prefers limestone outcrops, rocky slopes, prairies & mesquite plains. Sands, loams &clays. Likes limestone soils. Little-leaf sumac Rhus microphylla 4-15 Prefers dry rocky hillsides or gravelly mesas at altitude of 2,000-6,000 in western ¾ of Texas. Sands, loams, clays, caliche-type & limestone soils. Smooth sumac Rhus glabta 3-10 Occurs on dry sandy hillsides & banks in East Texas to Bryan, Blackland Prairies & Rolling Plains. Mesic-xeric, welldrained. 117
Damianita Crysatinia mexicana 1-2 Prefers rocky limestone outcrops of ridges, hills & mountains. Also thrives on igneous substrates from 1,800-7,000. Sands, loams & clays Likes limestone soils, also igneous soils. Skeleton-leaf golden-eye Viguiera stenoloba 2-4 to evergreen Prefers limestone substrates in various habitats in west Texas. Sands, loams & clays Especially limestone soils. American beauty-berry Callicarpa Americana 3-9 to evergreen Part, Prefers moist soils of canyons and bottomlands, woods & thickets. Sands, loams & clays Likes rich soils. Lantana Lantana horrida 3-6 Occurs in fields, thickets, swamps, rich sandy woods, scrub & gravelly hills. Well-drained, xeric to mesic. Red yucca Hesperaloe parviflora Succulent Leaves 2-3, flower stalk 5, Prefers prairies, rocky slopes & mesquite groves. Xeric, well-drained. Sands, loams & clays; likes limestone soils. Sacahuista Nolina texana Succulent 1 ½ -3 Prefers rocky soils & open areas on Edwards Plateau, Trans-Pecos & northern Rio Grande Plains. like limestone soils. Spanish dagger Yucca treculeana Succulent 5-15, Prefers tall chaparral or brushland. Mesic, well-drained. Prickly-pear cactus Opuntia lindheimeri Succulent 1-5 Full sun Prefers open areas, woodlands, openings, pastures, disturbed & eroded soils Xeric, well-drained. Blackjack oak Quercus marilandica Tree, large 40-60 Prefers upland forests of timber belt in East & Central Texas. Well-drained, mesicxeric. Sands, sandy loams & clays. Tolerates dry, sandy, gravelly soils. Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa Tree, large 60-80 Prefers moist forests along streams & in fallow fields. 118
Chinquapin oak Quercus muehlenbergii Tree, large 40-60 Prefers mountains, canyons & arroyos in both igneous & limestone substrates in Davis, Guadalupe & Chisos mountains from 1,200-7,600 elevation. Limestone & igneous soils; sands, loams & clays. Gray oak Quercus grisea Tree, small 10-50 Prefers mountainous areas, canyon slopes, wide areas in the Trans- Pecos to 7,800 in Chisos, Chinati, Davis, Del Norte, Glass, Guadalupe, Hueco, Vieja mountains. Igneous & limestone soils, prefers acid sands. Lacey oak Quercus glaucoides Tree, small 20-30 Likes deep soils; sands, loams & clays. Loves thin limestone & Plateau liveoak Quercus fusiformis Tree, large 30-50 Prefers calcarious substrate, rocky limestone soils of the Hill Country. Well-drained, xericmesic. Likes limestone & caliche type soils. Will grow on any alkaline to slightly acid. Post oak Quercus stellata Tree, large 40-50 Prefers dryish uplands, also grows in moister areas in East Texas. Sands, sandy loams, prefers acid soils. Also neutral clays Scaly-bark oak Quercus sinuate v. breviloba Tree, small 12-40 Prefers open wooded limestone hills at low elevations, also grows in grasslands. Well-drained, xericmesic. Loam, clays. Likes limestone soils. Shumard red oak Quercus shumardii Tree, large 50-100 Prefers moist forest & limestone upper woods. Vasey oak Quercus pungens v. vaseyana Tree, small 25-30 Persistent to Prefers dry limestone hills & canyon bluffs in desertic mountains, dry arroyos & along creek banks. Likes limestone & Anaqua Ehretia anacua Tree, large 25-45 Prefers thickets, forests, palm groves & open woodlands along fences 119
Brasil Condalia hookeri Tree, large 12-30 Persistent to Prefers dryish limestone hilss, also locally found on Rio Grande plains. Well-drained, mesicxeric. Carolina buckthorn Rhammus caroliniana Tree, small 12-20, Prefers moist woods, fence rows, along creeks, heads of draws & canyon slopes. Texas snakewood Colubrina texensis Tree, small 5-15 Occurs in open areas, along hills in areas of local abundance. limestone soils.welldrained, xeric. limestone soils. Guayacan Guaiacum angustifolia Tree, small, ornamental 10-20 Prefers brushy areas & open flats. Can be found on well-drained sites on Coastal Bend. Xeric, well-drained. Likes limestone soils. Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis Tree, small Ornamental 10-15 Prefers dry washes & gravelly creek beds, arroyos & water courses. Well-drained, mesicxeric. Hercules -club Zanthoxylum clava-herculis Tree-small 20-40 Full sun Prefers deep heavy soils on disturbed or abandoned cropland, along fence rows. Sands, loams, acid or neutral. Lotebush Ziziphus obtusifolia Tree, small 6-10 Prefers upland brushy areas & stream banks. Well-drained, mesicxeric. Rough-leaf dogwood Cornus drummondii Tree-small, ornamental 10-20 Part, Dappled, Prefers damp woodlands & thickets, occasionally found on dry hills in eastern half of Texas. Mesic, likes fairly moist soils. Sandy loams, clays; likes limestone soils. Common persimmon Diospyros virginiana Tree, small 30-40 Prefers dryish woods, old fields & clearings, ditch banks in East Texas. Also mud bottomlands. Thrives on almost any kind of soil. Texas persimmon Diospyros texana Tree, small 15-40 Prefers limestone hills, shinnery oak dunes, breaks & rocky canyons, mesquite groves, areas along water courses. 120
American elm Ulmus Americana Tree, large 40-80 Prefers rich soils along streams & lowland areas. Cedar elm Ulmus crassifolia Tree, large 30-60 Prefers woodlands, ravines & open slopes. Seasonal poor drainage Net-leaf hackberry Celtis reticulata Tree, large to medium 15-30 Prefers wooded limestone slopes. Mostly restricted to North Central, Central & parts of South Texas. Well-drained, mesic to xeric. Likes limestone & Sugarberry Celtis laevigata Tree, large 40-60 Rocky or alluvial soils along streams, in woodlands & thickets. Well-drained, mesic to xeric; drought tolerant once established. Prefers rich soils, but will tolerate wide range. Prairie rose Rosa setigera Vine Climber 9-15 Prefers openings & post oak woodlands. especially calcareous soils. Prairie larkspur Delphinium carolinianum 1 ½ -3 Prefers open woods, fields, meadows & prairies, also grows along roadsides of Northeast Texas & the Edwards Plateau. Sands, loams & clays; tolerates calcareous or acid soils. Wild columbine Aquilegia canadensis 1-3 Part,, full Prefers moist, d canyons growing in & around rock of cliff faces & boulders. Well-drained, mesic, likes moisture. Sands & loams; likes limestone based soils. Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis 3-6, Prefers moist soils in open places along streams, meadows & along roadsides; also about ponds & springs, & near swamps where the is not dense. Moist soils, poor drainage limestone based soils. 121
Missouri evening-primrose Oenotherea macrocarpa 1 Full sun Grows on dry, thin, rocky exposed calcareous soils on hillsides, slopes, on prairies & cliffs in Edwards plateau, Blackland Prairies, High Plains & Rolling Plains. Sands, limestone & Wild foxglove Penstemon cobaea 1-2 ½ Prefers open areas, meadows, prairies, pastures & roadside areas. limestone outcrops. Indian paintbrush Castilleja indivisa 6-12 a little Prefers fields, meadows, prairies & roadside areas in eastern portion of the state including the Coastal plains. Mountain pink Centaurium beyrichii 4-12 Prefers dry, barren, open areas, also prairies & rocky slopes. Sands, gravelly limestone or granitic soils. Texas bluebells Eustoma grandiflora 1-2 Prefers damp prairies, pond edges, open fields & banks along streams throughout much of Texas. Mesic, seasonal poor drainage Prairie celestial Nemastylis geminiflora 5-10, Prefers clay & limestone soils from South to North Central Texas, including the Edwards Plateau Sands, clays, especially limestone soils. Partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata 6-12 Prefers sandy soils in old fields, open woodlands & pastures in eastern ½ of the state & coastal plains. Texas bluebonnet Lupinus texensis 8-16 a little Prefers open fields, meadows & prairies, also roadside areas throughout much of the state from Corpus Christi to Albilene Well-drained, mesic to xeric. limestone soils; really likes calcareous soils. 122
Wild hyacinth Camassia scilloides 6-2, Prefers sandy or rocky soils in meadows, fields prairies & open woods form Central Texas northward, also Edwards Plateau. limestone soils. Copper-mallow Sphaeralcea angustifolia 1-6 Grows on sandy or rocky soils, usually on limestone or gypsum in brushlands, plains, rangelands, slopes & hillsides in High Plains, Rolling Plains, Edwards Plateau & Trans-Pecos. either gypseous or calcareous soils. Halbert-leaf Rose-mallow Hibiscus militaris 3-8 Prefers freshwater marshes & shallow water areas in East & North Central Texas. Poor drainage ; mesic to hydric. Sands, clays & loams Winecup Callirhoe involucrate 6-12, Prefers open woods, prairies, meadows & fields. Sands, loams, clays or gravelly soils, either calcareous or acidbased. Butterfly-weed Asclepias tuberosa 1-2, Prefers prairies, meadows, open woods & thickets in Eastern Texas & west to the Hill Country limestone soils. Horsemint Monarda citriodora 1-1 ½ Prefers slopes, prairies & meadows throughout Texas Well-drained, xericmesic. Mealy sage Salvia farinacea 1-2 Prefers dry calcareous soils of the Edwards Plateau, Trans-Pecos, High Plains, Rolling Plains & elsewhere throughout the state. especial limestone & caliche-type soils Scarlet sage Salvia coccinea 2-4, Prefers sandy soils in thickets, chaparral, on edges of open woods form East to South Texas. Mesic, seasonal poor drainage Purple groundcherry Physalis lobata 2-6 Grows in a wide variety of habitats in the western ½ of the state. Sands, loams, clays, limestone-based soils. 123
Eryngo Eryngium leavenworthii 1-2 Grows in open areas on plains & prairies throughout most of the state. Sands, loams, clays, limestone-based & Drummond phlox Phlox drummondii 6-20, Prefers grasslands, open meadows & woodlands in neutral to acid soils. Sands, sandy loams, acid to neutral. Standing cypress Ipomopsis rubra 2-6 Biennial, Prefers rocky or sandy ground in fields or along edges of woods in Edwards Plateau, Cross Timbers, Oak Woods, Prairies & East Texas. Sands, loams & gravelly soils. White prickly-poppy Argemone albiflora v. texana 1-2, Grows in open fields, meadows, prairies, along roadsides throughout most or Texas. Sands, loams, clays, limestone-based & Blackfoot daisy Melampodium leucanthum 6-12 Prefers limestone & calcareous soils in open, dry rocky areas in Edwards Plateau, Trans- Pecos, High Plains & Rolling Plains. Sands, limestone-based & Brown-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 1-2, Prefers open prairies, grasslands & woodland meadows in the eastern 2/3 of the state. Desert marigold Baileya multiradiata 1-1 ½, short-lived Grows in flat desert areas in the Trans-Pecos & western portion of the Edwards Plateau. Englemann daisy Englemannia pinnatifida 1-3, Grows in open fields, meadows, along roadsides throughout much of the state. Well-drained, xeric to mesic. Sands, loams & clays; neutral to calcareous soils Giant goldenrod Solidago canadensis 2-7 Prefers open fields, meadows, prairies & moist soils near streams. Mesic, poor drainage also 124
Golden wave Coriopsis tinctoria 1-4 part Prefers seasonally moist soils in the eatern portion of the state, but grows throughout. Mesic, seasonal poor drainage Sands, loams & clays; either calcareous or acid. Golden-eye Viguiera dentata 3-6 part Prefers dry caliche soils of the Texas Hill Country & chalky cuestas of North Central Texas, Blackland Prairies & to a less extent in Trans-Pecos. limestone soils. Greenthread Thelesperma filifolium 1-1 ½ some Prefers dry, calcareous soils on prairies throughout Texas. Rare in East Texas & Trans- Pecos. limestone-base soils. Heath aster Aster ericoides 4-2 ½ part Prefers open situations throughout much of north central & southeast Texas, including the Plains country & part of East, South & West Texas. Huisache-daisy Amblyolepis setigera 6-1 ½ part Grows in fields, meadows & prairies throughout the western portion of the state. Sands, loams & Indian blanket Gaillardia pulchella 1 part Prefers open grassy areas, prairies, meadows, also disturbed areas in a variety of soils. Well-drained, xericmesic. Kansas gayfeather Liatris pycnostachya 2-5 a little Prefers sandy, acid bogs in East Texas; also open prairie habitats. Well-drained sandy or rocky soils. Sands & loams. Late boneset Eupatorium serotinum 2-5 part Prefers open places, woodland edges, near ponds Mesic, likes moisture. Limoncillo Pectis angustifolia 6-10 part Grows on dry calcareous soils of the uplands in the Edwards Plateau west to the Trans-Pecos. Sands, loams & gravelly caliche-type soils. 125
Maximilian sunflower Helianthus maximiliani 4-6 part Prefers seasonally moist ditches & depressions in grasslands, prairies & meadows in Edwards Plateau, North & South East Texas. Well-drained, xeric; tolerates seasonally poor drainage. limestone-based soils. Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 2-3 part Grows in open fields, meadows, fields, prairies & along roadsides in the western 2/3 of the state. Sands, loams, clays, limestone-based & Paperflower Psilostrophe tagetina 1-1 ½ or Short-lived some Grows in various soils in plains, rangelands, along hillsides & slopes. Purple coneflower Echinacea angustifolia 1-2 part Prefers rocky open woods & prairies in North Texas, West Texas & the Edwards Plateau. Well-drained, mesicxeric. Red gaillardia Gaillardia amblyodon 1 part Prefers open grassy areas, prairies, meadows & also disturbed areas in a variety of soils. Well-drained, xericmesic. Slender-stem bitterwood Hymenoxys scaposa 3-6 part Grows on dry calcareous soils & on caliche banks throughout much of western Texas. Sands, loams, clays, limestone-based & Texas snakeweek Gutierrezia sarothrae 1-3 part Grows in open areas, prairies, fields, meadows on poor, dry soils; also along roadsides. limestone-based & caliche-type soils Prairie verbena Verbena bipinnatifida 6-12 some Prefers prairies & fields throughout most of Texas, except for the Trans-Pecos. Well-drained, xericmesic. limestone-based soils. 126
Blue-curls Phacelia congesta 1-3 or Biennial part, Occurs in sandy, gravelly or rocky areas & disturbed areas throughout Texas except for Pineywoods. limestone soils. Purple phacelia Phacelia patuliflora 10-12 part Prefers sandy souls in fields, prairies, openings & edges of woods, also along stream banks in Southeast, South Central and Coastal Texas. Sands & sandy loams. Table 4: Invasive/Exotic Plant List Common Name Japanese Privet Chinese Privet Chinaberry Chinese Tallow Johnson King Ranch Bluestem Heavenly Bamboo Japanese Honeysuckle Bermuda Tree of Heaven Golden Bamboo Scientific Name (Ligustrum lucidum) (Ligustrum sinense) (Melia azedarach) (Sapium serbiferum) (Sorghum halepense) (Bothriochloa ischaemum) (Nandina domestica) (Lonicera japonica) (Cynodon dactylon) (Ailanthus altissima) (Phyllostachys aurea) 127